Tuesday, August 30, 2011

More than just a chimney specialist

As mentioned in our Meet The Crew post, Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC has a crew staffed with individuals who know this business well, and strive to provide the best customer service in the industry.

You may be asking yourself, "What exactly does that mean?"

Allow us to elaborate.

Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC is simply your mason and chimney specialist: We are a company that wants to be known for quality and integrity. We are striving to become an industry leader you can count on when needed.

During any season, let Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC become your contractor of choice year-round. We will be there for you - rain or shine. Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC is known for high quality work and honest, straight-forward estimates.

Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC is there to diagnose and solve the problem from its root cause. Also, we do preventative maintenance and help avoid expensive repairs in the future!

Let Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC provide you with a good, honest, high quality, and noble service that is important to your home’s safety and energy efficiency.  Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC can also assist you in bigger custom jobs as well such as decorative concrete, patios, pizza ovens and outdoor kitchens, just to name a few.

Remember, estimates are free!

Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC is introducing the “Powers Care Package” Call today, and ask how we can prevent problems and maintain your masonry starting as low as $25.00 per month.

Basically, we are a company that cares about your unique needs and desires, and we're here to implement quality work, done with integrity.
Let us know how we can serve you!
Also, visit http://www.powerscm.com for more information on the services we provide.
 

Monday, August 29, 2011

VIP Special: 10% off for blog followers ONLY!

That's right; we're running a VIP special this week.

10% off any chimney cleaning & inspection scheduled this week (Mon., August 29th through Mon., September 5th).

To qualify:
1) You must be a blog follower. (Click "Follow" in the upper left-hand side of the screen)
2) Mention this blog post via email to kimi@powerscm.com, or phone (360) 691-9828 to receive your discount when booked.
3) Provide us with your email address when you call or email so we can verify that you are a blog follower.

That's it! Thanks for being awesome customers!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

New pictures and more!

Have you "liked" Powers Chimney & Masonry on Facebook yet?

If not, you missed out on seeing a great photo from one of the jobs we did! But, because you're reading and/or following this blog, we're going to post the picture here as well:

This is a veneer lit up with a center block.

This is just one of the many services Powers Chimney & Masonry can offer you.

To see more photos - before & afters, veneers, tuck points, etc. - simply go to Our Facebook Page, and click "like," on the top, located right next to our company name.

Additionally, you can find Kimi's bio and picture, as well as other new additions to our website at www.powerscm.com.

Call today to schedule your chimney cleaning for $20 off! Don't forget to tell us how you found us. :)

(360) 691-9828

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Prepare NOW! $20 off any chimney sweep

It's a beautiful morning in northwest Washington. The sun is shining, and it's already over 60 degrees. The clouds in the sky are white and fluffy, set against the most beautiful periwinkle blue background.

On days like today, it's difficult to think that we might be bundling up in layers soon. Searching for scarves, winter coats, boots and mittens are the farthest things from our minds.

Yet, eventually - probably on the first day the temperature hits below 55 degrees - we'll be fumbling around in the closets for our boxes of winter attire, digging out the boots from the garage, and making sure we always have slippers ready to wear.

One small task that can be overlooked is considering your fireplace and chimney.

You probably don't consider your fireplace or chimney at all until you're too cold to stay warm, or your house gets that winter chill that you so desperately want to get rid of.                               
It's not something that should be delayed even that long, though.

Now is the time to be preparing for that day when you want to snuggle up in a cozy chair with a blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and a beautiful fire blazing.

Which leads me to my next point.....our discount :)

For a limited time only, we're offering $20 off any chimney sweeping. The size or shape of your chimney doesn't matter.

Take advantage of this deal while you can. Protect your home and your loved ones by scheduling your chimney sweeping today. Don't wait until it's too late. You're going to want to use that fireplace very soon, and you don't want to use it when it hasn't had it's yearly inspection and/or cleaning. There are dangers that can arise from creosote build up (see previous posts for more information), such as fires.

Let Powers Chimney & Masonry help you prepare for the cold season ahead of us. Call today to schedule your appointment (360) 691-9828.

Monday, August 22, 2011

3 NEW SPECIALS!!

3 AMAZING new specials just announced from Powers Chimney & Masonry!

$20.00 off ANY chimney sweep/ cleaning!

$20.00 off top mount damper!!!

$1000 for any complete fire box rebuild with ash dump!!

Our caps and top mount dampers are protected by a lifetime warranty!!!

Call today to schedule your appointment!! (360) 691-9828

Don't be a statistic; schedule your chimney cleaning & inspection NOW!

It's a bit chilly out this morning!

I know when I left the house this morning to come into the office, I made sure I had a nice, hot cup of coffee to accompany me. The gray skies and cooler-than-usual breeze made me instantly think about warm beverages and bundling up.

Most of us have those trains of thought as soon as the skies begin to turn to gray on a consistent basis here in the Pacific Northwest. Generally, we like to be cozy and comfortable at home during these colder months which are upon us. One simple thing that we turn to in order to keep those warm feelings could be detrumental if we don't care for it, though - our fireplaces.

According to the US Fire Administration, 86% of residential building heat fires are attributed to confined heating sources (chimneys, flues, fuel boxes, or boilers).* 
                                                                            
It may not be common knowledge, but it ought to be.

That statistic is staggering, especially considering the fact that we generally have mild to moderate winter climates here in the Pacific Northwest. But don't be fooled. Don't think that chimney you use occasionally in the winter months doesn't need to be cleaned as often as any other chimney: all chimneys should be cleaned and inspected on an annual basis to keep their working condition safe and hazard-free.

 Before you go to light that fireplace for the first time this season, call today at (360) 691-9828 to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection! (This is NOT a DIY project. See our blog post on chimney fire prevention for more information.

Also, for all blog followers, we have a limited time offer of 10% off any chimney cleaning! (This means you must click the "Follow" link on the upper left hand side of your screen, and the blog reader will prompt you to input your google account information so you can be added to our list of followers). This offer is only available for blog followers from August 19th - August 26th, 2011.

How to get this deal:

1) Follow the blog (instructions above)
2) Leave a comment on this blog post saying that you're a follower.

*source credit: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v6i3.pdf

Friday, August 19, 2011

More about us & a special deal for blog followers

If you haven't already, we highly recommend you check out our website.

http://www.powerscm.com

The site has pictures of recent work, testimonials, and information on how to get in touch with us.

We take pride in our work, and so do our customers. Our goal is always to leave a jobsite knowing that the customer was completely satisfied. The testimonials on our site go into further detail about that end result coming up time and time again.

Also, we've recently added a decorative concrete division to our company. (Pictures can be found on the website).

Also, for all blog followers, we have a limited time offer of 10% off any chimney cleaning! (This means you must click the "Follow" link on the upper left hand side of your screen, and the blog reader will prompt you to input your google account information so you can be added to our list of followers). This offer is only available for blog followers from August 19th - August 26th, 2011.

How to get this deal:

1) Follow the blog (instructions above)
2) Leave a comment on this blog post saying that you're a follower.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Wood Chip Smoker Boxes now available!

That's right; for a limited time we'll be offering heavy duty SS smoker boxes with lids!!

We have two options:

8 3/8" long x 3 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep, OR 16 3/4" long x 2" wide x 1 1/2" deep.
These make GREAT gifts, especially for the end of summer, or even for the upcoming holidays. Get your shopping done early!

Both boxes are stainless steal and are a fantastic way to smoke foods the simple way!

$29.99 for the long box and $19.99 for the short box.



Calls us today at (360) 691-9828 for more details!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Chimney Fire Prevention

With summer nearly behind us, and the colder winter months fast-approaching, it's never too early to start thinking about your chimney and how to accurately keep it protected and clean.

Chimney fires are hardly something to push to the back of your brain when it comes to warming your home during the winter months. They are extremely dangerous, and can occur when you least expect it, if you're not keeping up on your cleanings and/ or inspections.
Below is a table (which can be found here, at the Chimney Safety Institute of America's website) that shows just how prevalent dangerous chimney fires are.

Estimated Residential Structure Fires
Equipment
2005 2006 2007 2005-2007 Average
Total Residential
375,100 390,900 389,200 385,100
Total Heating Equipment
56,100 55,500 57,700 56,400
Local Fixed Heater
5,000 4,400 4,500 4,600
Portable Heater
1,500 1,400 1,900 1,600
Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector
24,500 26,400 27,000 26,000
Central Heating
1,200 1,000 1,100 1,100
Water Heater
2,600 2,500 2,700 2,600
Air Conditioning
1,100 1,200 1,300 1,200
Other
20,300 18,700 19,100 19,300

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Fire estimates are rounded to the nearest 100. Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heading totals. Estimates exclude losses from fires ientifiable as intentionally set.


The next table shows structural loss/ damage (which can also be found here, at the CSIA website):

Estimated Residential Structure Fire Property Loss (In Millions)

Equipment
2005 2006 2007 2005-2007 Average
Total Residential1
$6,215.6 $6303.3 $6771.5 $6430.1
Total Heating Equipment 1
$558.3 $586.5 $548.9
$564.6
Local Fixed Heater
$131 $147.6 $125.9 $134.9
Portable Heater
$75.9 $67.6 $87.6 $77.0
Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector1
$115.2 $126.6 $110.3
$117.4
Central Heating
$29.9 $26.5 $24.9 $27.1
Water Heater
$65.4 $77.8 $51.3 $64.8
Air Conditioning
$28.8 $27.0 $30.9 $28.9
Other1
$112 $113.3 $118.0 $114.4
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Property loss estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a million dollars. Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heading totals. Estimate exclude losses from fires idetifiable as intentionally set.

1= There are confinded fire property loss estimates included in Total Residential, Total Heating and Cooling Equipment, Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector, Other, and Total Cooking Equipment categories.
 


YIKES! With statistics like those, it's hard to ignore the imminent danger that can arise from a lack of attention given to the needs of your chimney! So, what can you do?

Educate yourself. Chimney safety is no joking matter. When creosote builds up in your chimney, it can catch fire easily. Not only is this hazardous and potentially damaging to your chimney and home, but it could take the life of you and/ or your loved ones.

Don't be a statistic.

You should have your chimney cleaned and inspected at least once a year. This is not something you can do on your own; you need to hire a professional, as mentioned in our previous post on extending your chimney life.


Powers Chimney & Masonry can take care of all your chimney needs, from inspections to cleanings to complete rebuilds.

Take advantage of our current care package:

The service includes:

- Yearly cleaning ($100 value)
- 1 Chimney Cap ($140 value)
- Yearly Water Treatment ($250+ value)
- De-moss if needed
- 10% off any repairs

Cost:
- Small easily accessible chimney: $300/ year or $25/ month
- Medium chimney: $500/ year or $41.67/ month
- Large or multiple chimneys: $750/ year or $62.50/ month (restrictions may apply)

Call (360) 691-9828 today to schedule your free estimate.


Friday, August 12, 2011

Realizing your patio's full potential

While it's still summer, we're all trying to enjoy the last little bit before the kiddos head back to school, and adults get back to the daily grind of the autumn and winter months. Most often, one of the easiest ways everyone tries to do this is with a mini staycation - right at home, where you have everything you need right at your finger tips. Typically, the simplest way to do this is to hang out in your yard or on your patio.

Would it be nice if you could have some time outside in a special place that has your own stamp of uniqueness on it?

You can have it! It doesn't take much to turn a patio into an outside living area. See pictures below for what Powers Chimney & Masonry can offer you!

These pictures are examples of stamped concrete.



Stamped concrete is concrete that is patterned and/or textured or embossed to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, wood, and various other patterns and textures. Stamped concrete is commonly used for patios, sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, and interior flooring. (Wikipedia's definition).







Here are some examples of some work we did for a client earlier this year:




Contact us at (360) 691-9828 or visit http://www.powerscm.com for more information on how we can help you transform your patio areas!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Extend the life of your chimney!

These days, it's becoming more common for people to cut corners in their spending habits to save as much money as possible. Things like smaller budgets, eating meals at home as much as we can, and even home haircuts are becoming more prevalent with each passing day. So many of us are using search engines for the terms "DIY," or "how to," and we're attempting to be living breathing sponges - soaking up and absorbing as much information as possible in order to function easily and cheaper on our own accord, as opposed to seeking professional solutions.

Usually, we'd deem these efforts "frugal," "smart," or even, "necessary."

                                      But when it comes to your chimney, don't be fooled.

Periodic chimney cleanings are absolutely essential to keeping a healthy chimney in your home. If you use your chimney often, regular yearly cleanings are necessary. Failure to have this done will result in a gradual build-up of creosote (hard-layered residue from the smoke), originating in the flue, which can catch fire.



This is not a DIY project; you need to hire a professional to clean your chimney for you.

Currently, Powers Chimney & Masonry offering a Care Package to extend the life of your chimney.



The service includes:

- Yearly cleaning ($100 value)
- 1 Chimney Cap ($140 value)
- Yearly Water Treatment ($250+ value)
- De-moss if needed
- 10% off any repairs

Cost:
- Small easily accessible chimney: $300/ year or $25/ month
- Medium chimney: $500/ year or $41.67/ month
- Large or multiple chimneys: $750/ year or $62.50/ month (restrictions may apply)

Call (360) 691-9828 today to schedule your free estimate.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Chimneys and Masonry: It's what we do!!!

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we've had a rather chilly summer. However, we're now experiencing some days of sun that allow us to move dinner outside on the deck, barbeque instead of bake, and entertain company on our patios instead of in the living room.

There is still plenty of time to enjoy a freshly designed and implemented walkway or patio, and our crew is the perfect fit for helping you realize the potential of your property!

Pictured at the left is an example of a concrete patio and stonework that our crew finished for a customer in June. The light columns are completed with El Dorado stone, finished with a dry stack. (A dry stack is stone work that does not contain mortar in the joints of the stack. It presents a clean look, and is very appealing to the eye).


Pictured to the right is a fire pit, concrete benches and lighting all put in by our crew in April.
Masonry is individual units (most typically, brick or stone), laid and traditionally held together by mortar.

Pictured at the left is an example of masonry work on the front of a home.
Check out our "Why Masonry?" page on our website for more information regarding masonry.  


Pictured to the right is a complete chimney rebuild that was finished by our crew in July of this year. This particular job included tearing down and hauling away the old chimney, approxmiately a 300-brick replacement, new chimney cap, new tiles, and counter flashing.  

For a complete list of services we offer, please see our website.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Meet the crew!


Zack.

Zack J Powers: Owner/ Operator

"I wanted to take a few moments and tell you what you can expect from me as an owner and as a mason. My heart and work ethic drives me to be on top of my game. I am always hungry to learn more and be better than what I was yesterday. Every job comes with a challenge that I meet with eagerness and determination. I am chomping at the bit to help drive and grow my company to its highest potential. I promise to give 110% on every job, every day.
I was born in Great Falls, Montana and was raised in Monument, Colorado. I have always loved sports and the outdoors. At a very young age I became involved with athletics. I have always strived for excellence as an athlete, and that can be seen in my work ethic. I helped as a team captain with my soccer team, and led a football team to an undefeated season as an Iron Man. I also hold a school record for the fastest pin for wrestling. I am competitive and hard working by nature.
I graduated in 2008 from WWU Masonry Trade School, where I learned about building leads and running a brick line. While working with previous employers, I started as a grunt and worked my way up to a lead. I started from the bottom, mixing mud and moving brick, and advanced to designing and executing complex patios, chimneys, pizza ovens, and various masonry jobs. My passion lies with the knowledge and ethics I have. Taking these tools, I decided to open up my own company and strive for excellence. I am always looking to increase my knowledge and skills."

Steven Scott, Vice President

Steven Scott has over ten years experience with helping companies grow and develop from the ground up. Literally helping companies start out of the gate as ideas and developing them into viable forces in the market place, Steven has helped fortune 500 companies gain footholds in places like Wyoming and Washington State. Steven's philosophy in business is simply "don't allow yourself to fail." If your heart is in it, you will find the motivation and opportunities to succeed. Steven's contribution to the team is to help develop and lead the marketing and sales of the business.
Steven graduated in 1996 from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. After marrying his wife, Daisy, they moved to Wyoming where they worked as actors in a small college located in Casper, Wyoming. It is there Steven discovered and started developing his business skills. Later he moved to Washington where he and his wife adopted their only child Marques. Marques is Steven's consistent and loving motivation. He wants his son to be proud of his father, so Steven has taken this to the next level. Steven will lead by example. If sales are down you will see him in the field developing new business. If the crew is behind you will see him with a bag of mud or trowel in his hand. He is excited and honored to be part of this team.

Kimberly (Kimi) Crombie, Lead Controller/ Administrator



As the newest member of our team, Kimi comes aboard with 8 years of experience in the construction industry. As a Dean's List graduate of the University of Washington, Kimi is familiar with and always ready to meet challenges head-on. As a rule of thumb, her drive towards success comes from one of her favorite phrases, "If it is to be, it is up to me." Extremely detail-oriented, Kimi keeps things organized, and focuses on streamlining techniques, goals and standards to be as efficient as possible. She is never bored, and loves having numerous tasks to tackle and finish each day. You'll never find her free of multi-tasking, and she thrives on keeping busy. Her heart motivation is always to help contribute to success as often as she can, and she loves working with a team to accomplish common goals.
      Kimi loves to play sports, and having been involved in competitive soccer for nearly 20 years, and softball for 15 years. In her free time, Kimi enjoys reading, playing music, couponing, learning and teaching anything she can. She and her husband, Robert, were married in February of 2010, and enjoy playing softball together in a co-ed league in Arlington during the spring and summer. In their free time, Robert and Kimi love to take day trips, go camping, and explore the beautiful state of Washington together with friends. They are also very involved in ministries at their church, volunteering their time especially in the Awana program as Directors of the Trek (6th-8th grade) age group. Additionally, Kimi plays piano, violin, flute, guitar, clairinet, and drums. She spends several hours a week with the music team at church. Robert and Kimi both sing in the young adult choir at church, and Robert helps Kimi organize and publish the church's monthly newsletter.
            In short, you'll never see Kimi sitting idle, and she's always eager to find something to do that will lead the entire team at Powers Chimney & Masonry towards success.



Ekraam Shah, Chimney Sweep and Technician        

Ekraam has 5 years of experience, and has seen just about every type of chimney. This includes wood stoves - free-standing and inserts. He has also seen Pellet stoves and pre-fab fireplaces, open fireplaces, and even Russian designed fireplaces. He is also trained to perform safety inspections, diagnose problems, and repair issues that need to be done. Ekraam truly enjoys what he does. He takes a lot of pride in providing a service - an important service that helps keep our customers homes safe and comfortable. When he's not at work, Ekraam loves to stay mostly at home with his wife and three dogs. When the opportunity presents itself, Ekraam loves to travel. He is lucky enough to have seen large parts of the world: France, England, Sweden, South Africa, Pakistan, and Jamaica, just to name a few. Ekraam still has a few more he would like to see.

For more information, please visit http://www.powerscm.com or call (360) 691-9828.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Welcome!



Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC is a venture designed and ran by Zack Powers. We are a locally owned and operated business, operating out of Snohomish County - fully licensed, bonded and insured. The ultimate goal of Powers Chimney & Masonry is to be known for quality and integrity. Without repeat business, there is no business at all. Customer satisfaction is our number one goal. We don't have a team of sales men to convince you that you are in desperate need of unnecessary services; just a team of professionals here to serve all your Chimney and Masonry needs. We strive to be an industry leader by doing it right the first time, on time.
A list of our services offered can be found here.

All of our estimates are always free!

Find us online at http://www.powerscm.com
Some of our most recent finished work.